NEIS helps Australians start their own business and celebrates a big anniversary

The New Business Assistance with NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) program turns 35 years old this week and it’s only getting better with age, continuing to create opportunities for Australians to become their own boss.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the NEIS program has a proud history of helping people start their own business.

“Since the NEIS program started on 5 July 1985 it has helped more than 180,000 people to set up a business for themselves,” Minister Cash said.

“Australians are known for their ‘have a go’ attitude and NEIS supports people to pursue self-employment and become part of Australia’s vibrant small business community.

“The program provides training, mentoring, and financial support. NEIS is an incredible resource for people out of work to run their own business — and in turn actually create jobs for their fellow Australians.”

“NEIS is simply life-changing. It is a significant transition for an individual to move from unemployment to self-employment.”

“As we face the significant challenge of COVID-19, it’s important that services like NEIS are there to provide Australians greater choice and help people build a future through self-employment.”

NEIS offers valuable support for people to start a new small business and turn their passion into a reality. People receive accredited small business training, help to develop a business plan and mentoring and advice for the first year of a new business.

It is offered by providers that cover 51 employment regions and eligible participants may also receive the NEIS Allowance for up to 39 weeks and Rent Assistance for up to 26 weeks.

The Morrison Government acutely understands the importance of small business, we have around 3.5 million small businesses in Australian and they are vital part of our COVID-19 recovery.

You can find out more about NEIS and read stories of people starting successful new small businesses at: www.dese.gov.au/neis.